About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Heathrow (LHR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to London. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Siberian and Central Asian overland route, the left side also faces slightly more southward toward the Altai and Ural mountain ranges depending on exact routing, though at cruise altitude most of the 9,000km overland stretch is featureless taiga and steppe regardless of side.
What can I see during takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVG departures heading west on runway 34L/35 or northwest on 16R/17 typically give the left side a view over the Huangpu River confluence and central Pudong's skyline including the distinctive cluster of supertall towers. The right side faces open East China Sea and flat reclaimed land with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Pudong skyline (Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower cluster), Huangpu River bends, Chongming Island to the north, Yangtze River mouth estuary.
What can I see when landing at Heathrow in London?
When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow's dominant runway orientation is 09L/27R (east-west). Arrivals from the east on runway 27L/27R approach over central London from the east, putting the left side directly over the Thames, the City of London, and the West End before touching down. The right side faces the M25 corridor and suburban Surrey with far less to see. Notable sights include: Thames River and its central London bends, City of London towers (Shard, Gherkin cluster), Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, Wembley Stadium arch.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to London?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Heathrow (LHR) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Shanghai to London flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northwest from Shanghai over eastern China, crosses into Russia over the Amur region, transits the vast West Siberian Plain and southern Siberian taiga, passes near the Ural Mountains, crosses into European Russia and then Poland and Germany before descending into the UK. Notable features include the Ob and Yenisei river systems visible as massive frozen or open river corridors cutting through flat taiga, the low Ural Mountains appearing as a subtle ridge line from 35,000 feet, and the increasingly dense European urban grid visible during descent over the Netherlands and southeast England.